Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Treatment depends on cancer type, stage, and molecular markers like HER2, hormone receptors, and BRCA mutations. Many early-stage breast cancers are now curable, and even metastatic disease often responds to treatment for years.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing antibody-drug conjugates that deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, immunotherapy combinations for triple-negative disease, CDK4/6 inhibitors in earlier stages, PARP inhibitors for BRCA-mutated cancers, and less intensive regimens to reduce treatment burden while maintaining outcomes. Researchers are also studying ways to predict which patients can skip chemotherapy or radiation.
Antibody-drug conjugates
These drugs combine a targeted antibody with chemotherapy, delivering the treatment directly to cancer cells. Trastuzumab deruxtecan and sacituzumab govitecan have already changed practice, and newer versions are being tested across more breast cancer types.
De-escalation trials
Studies are testing whether some patients can safely receive less surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. The goal is to maintain cure rates while reducing side effects and long-term complications.
Immunotherapy expansion
Checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab now have FDA approval for some triple-negative breast cancers. Trials are testing whether immunotherapy works in hormone-positive disease and whether combining it with other treatments improves outcomes.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on cancer stage, receptor status (ER, PR, HER2), BRCA or other genetic mutations, prior treatments, and overall health.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new drugs or combinations, often comparing them to standard chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy.
- Surgery trials — Studies of whether less extensive surgery can be as effective as more aggressive approaches, especially in early-stage disease.
- Prevention trials — Testing medications or lifestyle interventions in people at high risk for developing breast cancer.
- Biomarker trials — Using genetic tests or imaging to match patients to treatments or to decide who can skip certain therapies.
- Supportive care trials — Testing treatments for side effects like neuropathy, cognitive changes, or bone loss caused by cancer or its treatment.
Recently added Breast Cancer trials
Thalidomide for Preventing Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral thalidomide for the prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) in breast-conserving surgery patients receiving intensity-modulated whole-breast radiotherapy. This is a single-center randomized controlled trial. Female breast cancer patients aged \>18 and \<70 years after breast-conserving surgery scheduled for whole-breast intensity-modulated radiotherapy will be enrolled. Subjects will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (thalidomide 75 mg orally every bedtime plus standard skin care) or the control group (standard skin care alone). The observation window is defined as from the start of first radiotherapy to 42 days after completion of last radiotherapy. RID will be assessed weekly according to CTCAE v5.0, and the maximum grade within the observation window will be recorded for each subject. The primary endpoint is the incidence of grade ≥2 RID within the observation window. Secondary endpoints include incidence of grade ≥3 RID, time-to-first-onset of grade ≥2 RID, RID-related symptoms (burning, pruritus, pulling pain, tenderness), quality-of-life measured by EORTC QLQ-C30 / QLQ-BR23. Treatment-emergent adverse events will be documented using CTCAE v5.0, with special attention to thalidomide-related toxicities such as somnolence, peripheral sensory neuropathy and thromboembolism. A total of 68 participants are planned for enrolment.
Pectoral Nerve Block Versus Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block for Pain Control After Mastectomy
This study compares two ultrasound-guided nerve block techniques for pain control after mastectomy for breast cancer: the pectoral nerve block (PECS II) and the serratus posterior superior intercostal plane (SPSIP) block. Both techniques involve injecting local anesthetic near nerves supplying the surgical area. The study will include 78 adults aged 18 to 85 years undergoing elective mastectomy under general anesthesia. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of the two blocks before surgery. Both groups will receive postoperative pain treatment, including a patient-controlled device that delivers tramadol when needed. The main aim is to compare postoperative opioid consumption. The study will also assess pain at rest and during movement, the need for additional pain medication, side effects, recovery quality, and persistent pain. Pain scores and tramadol consumption will be recorded at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours after surgery. Recovery quality will be assessed at 24 hours, and persistent pain will be assessed by telephone at 3 months.
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